US Hails Georgia’s Approval of BTC
(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, December 3, 2002) – The United States welcomed the approval by the Georgian authorities of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline.
“Together with earlier approvals by the Governments of Azerbaijan and Turkey, today’s [December 2] action marks a significant milestone in the development of this project, which will bring welcome investment to Georgia as well as strengthen the sovereignty and independence of countries in the Caspian Basin,” press statement of the US Department of State issued on December 2 reads.
After a week of negotiations with Georgian International Oil Corporation and BP the Georgian authorities gave their go-ahead for construction of the BTC through Borjomi valley.
Environmental groups fear the pipeline might damage the valley’s unique and fragile ecology.
“We strongly support the host countries and the project developers and commend them for devoting considerable attention to ensuring that the project adheres to the highest standards of environmental stewardship and that it generates economic opportunities for communities along the pipeline route,” the US Department of State says.
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Go-ahead Given to BTC
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